Opening Flat Hands Outside the Notrump Ranges

 

What To Do With 18, 19 and 22+ HCP Openers?

  • With 18-19 HCP - open one of a suit then jump to 2NT or raise partners major with 4 card support
  • With 22+ HCP - open 2 Clubs then bid 2NT or 3 NT or raise partners major with 4 card support

Distribution Distribution requirements remain the same as for 1 or 2 No Trump --: no singleton or void. Rarely there is a 6 card suit in such a hand, because you would probably jump rebid that suit.

Example flat hand openers:

ª Kxxx

ª Jxxx

© Axx

© AKJx

¨ AQx

¨ AKx

§ AJx

§ Kx

1§ opening followed by a 2 NT rebid unless partner bids Spades -- raise to 4 Spades

1¨ opening. Raise partner's Hearts                                or Spades response to game,                                  otherwise bid 2NT.
ª KQxx ª Axxx
© AQx © AKJx
¨ AQx ¨ AKx
§ AKx § Kx
2§ opening followed by 3NT rebid -- unless partner bids Spades -- raise them to 4 2 § opening followed by 3 NT -- or 4 Hearts or 4 Spades if responder bids them.